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Heatherlea Cottage
near Dalwhinnie
Inverness-shire

Sleeps 6/7

Heatherlea Cottage is a snug and most comfortable cottage which will appeal to all country-lovers, walkers, climbers and skiers. It stands alone on a hillside with a burn at its side in its own 35 acres of land, halfway between Pitlochry and Aviemore and just above the village of Dalwhinnie (2 hotels, garage, cafe, railway halt, distillery!) with a lovely view across the valley of the River Truim (fishing available) to the Grampian Mountains. It has been substantially refurbished in the last year, yet retains all its considerable character and now also benefits from a splendid, new, private and gated approach road.

With a wood-burner in the cosy sitting room to supplement the electric heating, double glazing, a bedroom and a bathroom downstairs and two further bedrooms and loo upstairs, it offers accommodation which is both versatile and well-equipped. It's a great place to return to after a day's walking, ski-ing (the Cairngorms are less than an hour away) or exploring, where you can reminisce over the day's events, perhaps with a glass of the local Dalwhinnie malt.

Here you will be staying on the very hill where Bonnie Prince Charlie encamped his army after raising his standard at Glenfinnan, and who knows that he did not rest in this old crofter's cottage that already existed in its primitive form? Recently rebuilt, completely modernised and double-glazed, it is centrally-heated throughout the year to keep the stone walls warm - while inner heat can be generated by imbibing the local 'Dalwhinnie malt' in front of the wood- burning stove.

This is a very central location for touring in all directions. 10 miles south of Newtonmore, it is easily reached via the fast A9 and then by a newly constructed track from the Fort William road. You can catch a sprinter-train to Inverness or Perth from the tiny station (a quarter mile away), or drive westwards alongside beautiful Loch Laggan to visit Fort William on the west coast (45 miles). Those familiar with the TV series 'Monarch of the Glen' will recognise 'Glenbogle House' and a familiar lochside beach across the water as they drive. ( On the Strathspey Steam Railway you can take a 10 mile trip through Monarch of the Glen country to 'Glenbogle Station' at Broomhill.) To the north, Aviemore is well known as a winter sports centre, but is also hugely popular in summer, with sailing on beautiful Loch Morlich, the chairlift to the top of Cairngorm, ranger led walks in Rothiemurchus forest, where there is also clay pigeon shooting, quad bike trekking, fishing and a wealth of wildlife to spot. Just a little further on is Boat of Garten, famous for its ospreys, and by then you have an easy drive up to Inverness itself.

For an active Highland holiday, too, Heatherlea's situation cannot be bettered. The owners bought it for their own ski-ing holidays and the house is equidistant between the Cairngorm and Nevis ski areas, both of which can be reached (by main roads) in less than an hour. For mountain-bikers, the Wolftrax dedicated mountain biking trails are just a few miles down the Fort William road at Laggan, or again, you can continue to the world-class tracks on Aonach Mor (the Nevis range in its summer incarnation). There is pony-trekking at both Laggan and Newtonmore. Fishermen are spoiled for choice, from local lochans to the Spey itself, as are walkers and climbers, with a goodly number of Munros to choose from in the area.

Heating is by electric central heating (included), and wood-burning stove (logs included). Bed-linen and towels can be hired. Pets are welcome. Sorry, smoking is not permitted.

Accommodation (sleeps 6/7):

Downstairs:

Sitting room with wood burning stove, digital TV/Video/DVD player and CD player